Page 118 of Stolen and Seduced By the Duke

Gradually, the trembling eased. Margaret's breathing slowed against his chest, and she allowed herself to feel the solid warmth of him beneath her palms. She had been so frightened that she had thought her heart might stop, but now that he was holding her, the terror began to drain away. She realized she had been gripping his coat so fiercely that her fingers ached. Yet she could not make herself release him. She had come within minutes of losing him, and the knowledge had stripped away every last excuse she had made for pretending she could bear his absences without consequence.

Pierce finally drew back, though he kept one hand around hers. "You are certain you are unharmed?" he asked, studying her face.

Margaret nodded through her tears. "I am certain."

He searched her expression for another moment before finally seeming satisfied. Then his features changed, and Margaret saw something in his eyes that frightened her more than anger ever could. It was guilt.

"I already knew Hugh was safe," he said quietly.

Margaret frowned. "How?"

Pierce's thumb brushed across her knuckles. "Because you are his mother, Margaret. I knew you would do everything in your power to protect him." His voice tightened. "It is I who failed you both."

Margaret stared at him as he continued, unable to interrupt. "I was supposed to keep you safe. I was supposed to protect this family, yet I left you here while I chased shadows halfway across the country."

"Pierce, no," Margaret whispered, reaching for him, but he shook his head. "I will never forgive myself for that."

His gaze dropped briefly before returning to hers. "I spent so much time trying to guard against an uncertain future that I failed to see the present slipping away from me. I believed that if I uncovered every secret, found every threat, and controlled every possible danger, then I could keep you safe." His jaw tightened. "But I was not here when you needed me."

Margaret's heart broke at the pain in his voice. She stepped closer and placed both hands against his face. "You came back," she whispered. "That is what matters."

Pierce closed his eyes for a moment, leaning into her touch as though he had finally exhausted every defense he possessed. When he opened them again, there was no duke's mask, no commanding certainty, no carefully guarded distance. There was only the man she loved.

"I love you," he said, the words quiet but absolute.

Margaret's breath caught. She had dreamed of hearing them, yet nothing could have prepared her for the tenderness with which he spoke them.

She rose onto her toes and kissed him, her tears still damp upon her cheeks. "I love you too," she whispered against his lips.

Pierce kissed her again, slower this time, and Margaret felt every wall between them collapse. All the fears, misunderstandings, pride, and guarded words seemed to dissolve beneath the simple truth they had finally spoken aloud.

When they parted, Margaret rested her forehead against his. "We should go back to Hugh," she murmured, giving a watery little laugh.

Pierce's mouth curved into a smile as he brushed a stray tear from her cheek. "We will. But I am staying here till the constable comes. Go to Hugh and I will meet you inside. I have a surprise for you."

Margaret looked at him suspiciously. "After this morning, I am not certain I trust any surprise."

Pierce gave a quiet laugh. "This one, Duchess, I think you will like."

CHAPTER 31

Margaret sat in the back garden watching as Harrowby was led away by constables. She was still struggling to comprehend the events of the morning, and yet Pierce had somehow managed to mention a surprise as though being attacked by an armed Viscount in the garden were merely an inconvenience standing between them and an otherwise pleasant day.

Finally, Pierce approached her. "You should have waited inside."

"I couldn’t. I was worried that Harrowby would somehow get loose and attack you again," she said.

"He is gone now. He cannot hurt us. Let’s go in and check on Hugh and then… for the surprise?"

"What is the surprise?" she asked, glancing up at him suspiciously. Pierce's mouth twitched.

"You will discover it shortly."

Margaret frowned. "That is precisely the sort of answer a man gives when he knows his wife will not like what she is about to discover."

He gave her a sideways look, amusement briefly appearing in his mismatched eyes. "You are becoming remarkably suspicious."

"I am married to you," she replied, squeezing his hand. "I have had excellent training."